The utility shutoff threat.
A caller claiming to be from your power, gas, or water company says your service will be cut off within the hour unless you pay immediately.
The library
Scams, named and explained.
Real scams written up plain, with what to do about each one. Filter by where it shows up or how active it is.
The Publishers-Clearing-House-style prize letter.
A physical letter or check arrives saying you've won a sweepstakes, and all you have to do is pay a processing fee or taxes upfront.
The job offer that wants your bank info on day one.
A remote job offer arrives unsolicited, the interview is by text only, and they need your bank account details to set up payroll before you have started.
The “is this you in this video?” message on social.
A friend (or a stranger) sends you a direct message with a link and 'is this you?' or 'OMG I can't believe you did this lol.'
The QR code in the parking meter or restaurant menu.
A sticker over a real QR code (on a parking meter, a menu, a flyer) sends you to a fake payment or login page.
Your-grandchild-is-in-jail variant: the bail courier.
After a grandchild-imposter call, a courier shows up at the house to pick up cash for bail.
Refund-and-overpayment scam.
A caller says they're refunding you money, 'accidentally' sends too much, and asks you to send the difference back.
Tech support pop-up that locks your screen.
A loud pop-up on a website claims your computer is infected and tells you to call a number for Microsoft or Apple to fix it.
The IRS or tax-debt threat call.
A recorded or live call claiming you owe back taxes and a warrant is being issued unless you pay immediately, usually with gift cards or a wire.
The Medicare card renewal call.
A call claiming to be from Medicare saying you need a new card and they need to verify your number and other personal details to send it.
The “your account has been suspended” email from a service you actually use.
An email that looks like it's from your streaming service, email provider, or cloud storage saying your account is suspended and you need to sign in to fix it.
The bank fraud alert that wants you to confirm by phone.
A text claiming your bank just blocked a suspicious $487 charge and asking you to call a number to confirm or deny it.
A package you did not order that needs an address fix.
A delivery firm asks for two dollars to redirect a parcel. The two dollars is a foot in the door to your card.
A friend request from someone who is already your friend.
A cloned account messages your real friends with a story about a grant they say you both received.
A caller claiming to be your grandchild in jail.
Cloned voice, hurried tone, asks for bail money on gift cards. The script is the same on every call.
The “unpaid toll” text that asks you to log in.
A fake message says your toll account is past due and links to a near-perfect copy of a state turnpike site.